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Two dogs, who animal activists say had homes waiting for them, were erroneously euthanized on the same day last week by an East Bay animal shelter. Elyce Kirchner reports. (Published Friday, July 15, 2016)

Two dogs, who animal activists say had homes waiting for them, were erroneously euthanized on the same day last week by an East Bay animal shelter.

Officials at Contra Costa County Animal Services initially said a clerical mistake was to blame and launched an investigation into the June 18 incident.

They are now taking responsibility for the death of one of the dogs, but not both.

A 4-year-old pit bull named Barbie should have been taken off the Martinez-based animal department's list of animals slated to be euthanized on June 18, spokesman Steve Burdo said.

Dog Mistakenly Euthanized Likely Due to Clerical Error

Contra Costa County Animal Services is investigating why two dogs were mistakenly euthanized after local rescue groups proposed saving at least one, a department spokesman said Thursday. Elyce Kirchner reports.

(Published Thursday, June 30, 2016)

A dog named Tommy was also put to sleep the same day.

According to a Contra Costa County Animal Services volunteer, who wanted to remain anonymous, paperwork indicates a rescue group had found a home for Barbie.

The documents said "she was not to be euthanized through the end of the day, that there was an extension," the volunteer said.